Belgium and Netherlands draw entertaining friendly
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Updated 16/10/2018 at 21:09 GMT
International friendly - Belgium 1 (Mertens 5') Netherlands 1 (Groeneveld 28')
Belgium's Dries Mertens celebrates scoring their first goal
Image credit: Reuters
An entertaining friendly match between Belgium and Netherlands finished 1-1 as both countries brought to a close what has been a successful international week.
Roberto Martinez’s side came into this game on the back of a UEFA Nations League win over Switzerland, while the visitors were flying high having beaten Germany just days previously. Both managers picked strong sides and that resulted in an enthralling encounter.
Dries Mertens opened the scoring early on, firing high into the top corner after some great play by Eden Hazard at the byline. The Belgians could, and perhaps should, have extended their advantage, spurning a number of opportunities, but this allowed Netherlands back into the match.
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Memphis Depay of the Netherlands celebrates after providing an assist for Arnaut Groeneveld of the Netherlands who then scores their team's first goal during the International Friendly match between Belgium and Netherlands at King Baudouin Stadium on Octo
Image credit: Getty Images
They equalised just before the half-hour mark when Arnaut Danjuma Groeneveld finished into an empty net following some exceptional counter attacking play by Memphis Depay. From then on, both teams had chances to win it, but a draw was probably fair on the balance of play.
TALKING POINT - This was another demonstration of Dutch promise
From the ashes of failing to qualify for the past two major tournaments, something special is rising for the Dutch. It was apparent in last week’s 3-0 thumping of rivals Germany in the Nations League, and even though this was only a friendly, it was apparent in this performance too.
Koeman’s side could have folded after conceding so early, with Belgium well on top early on. But they found a way to turn things around and assert themselves in the game. It was another mark of how this group of exciting, young players are getting better with every match they play together.
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Netherlands' Arnaut Danjuma Groeneveld (C) celebrates after scoring during the friendly football match between football match between Belgium and Netherlans, at the King Baudouin Stadium, on October 16, 2018 in Brussels.
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH - Memphis Depay (Netherlands)
This was another excellent performance from Memphis which must have made anyone watching at Old Trafford sink their head further into their hands. The former Manchester United winger scored seven goals in 10 appearances for his country before this match, and while he might not have added to this tally, he contributed an assist and was the dynamo through which Netherlands’ attacking play flowed.
PLAYER RATINGS
Belgium - Mignolet 6, Castagne 6, Alderweireld 6, Denayer 6, Boyata 5, Witsel 6, Tielemens 6, Chadli 7, Mertens 7, Lukaku 5, Hazard 6. Subs - Batshuayi 6, Meunier 5, Hazard 6, Praet 5, Carrasco 5.
Netherlands - Cillessen 6, Dumfries 5, De Ligt 7, De Vrij 5, Van de Beek 6, Blind 5, Strootman 6, Promes 7, Memphis 8, Danjuma 7. Subs - Vilhena 6, De Jong 6, Hateboer 6, Bergwijn 6, Rosario 5, Van Aanholt 5.
KEY MOMENTS
5’ GOAL! Belgium 1-0 Netherlands: What a sensational strike! Belgium have an early lead! Hazard's cross dropped to Mertens at the back post and he rifled a half volley on the spin high into the roof of the Dutch net! There were THREE players on the line to clear!
15’ Chance for Lukaku! The Belgium number nine might have done better with that. Mertens dug out a cross from the byline, but Lukaku just couldn't get over it and heads over the bar.
22’ Depay should have scored! What an opportunity for the Dutch to get back on level terms! The pass through was made by Promes, but Mignolet came off his line to make the save from Depay.
24’ So nearly a second! Alderweireld spurns the first chance from a corner kick and then Boyata couldn't react in time, flicking the ball past the far post when the Dutch goal was gaping.
28’ GOAL! Belgium 1-1 Netherlands: The Dutch are back on level terms! What a breakaway it was. It might have come against the run of play, but Depay swept a cross into Groeneveld and he finished into the back of the net. We're level again!
33’ Smashed off the post! That could have been a second for the Dutch, who really have their tails up at the moment. Promes struck it from long range, but it comes back off the inside of the post.
49’ Batshuayi was through! That was a mistake from Rosario just minutes after coming on that allowed Batshuayi through on goal, but under pressure from Cillessen he put his effort wide.
77’ How didn't that go in? The ball fell back to Bergwijn inside the Belgian penalty area. His shot is deflected up and over the goal though. Replays show that it might have been a handball!
KEY STATS
Netherlands have lost just one of the last five games in which they have conceded the first goal.
Dries Mertens’ opener was the quickest goal Netherlands have conceded since September 2014 (against Italy, 44 games ago).
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